Bonding Metal to a Face

[Augustus Longeye]

Right, I am fairly sure this is anatomical as it is a medical (ish) question... but also a rather peculiar one...
Are there any ways that a person could have metal bonded to their face (around the eye area) in such a way that is it permanent and non-removable (without either serious pain or risk of death). The metal itself could be any element or alloy, but would be roughly crescent shaped. It also doesn't matter how painful it would be to do it in the first place, or how risky, I just cannot think of a way myself...
Thanks for any help!
~Longeye~
P.s. this isn't so I can do it in real life... or is it?

[Capt. Dirigible]

Well..there are various forms of body modification that involve attaching metal to skin. It's possible to have small metal pieces with raised areas..and by 'small' I mean a few inches square..inplanted under the skin so that the raised areas poke through the skin and are visible. Also there are surgical procedures where metal plates can be attached to faces ( for example, where  cheek bone or parts of the skull have been shattered beyond repair).
In the case of the scenario you mention if someone was to be in a bad accident that caused  their upper cheek bones/eye sockets to shatter  then a shaped plate like a Zorro mask could feasably be  surgically attached to replace it..and by 'surgically attached' I mean screwed to the face into the undamaged bone. However this would usually be under the skin but I get the impression you'd want the metal to be visible. I guess it might be possible to leave the metal exposed although it could lead to infection when the mask meets the rest of the face flesh..

[Narsil]

Semi-permanent metal dermal implants are now a fairly common form of body modification. They are similar to conventional surface piercings except that they are 'blind' and held in place by a kind of toggle which holds the implant in place below the skin, a bit like the catch on a cuff link, with only the outer part of the insert protruding which the skin heals around. Generally these are fairly small , about the size of stud earrings. They do tend to migrate out after a while though and would not normally be capable of supporting much weight.

It is also possible to make more substantial implants with sufficient medical expertise. Titanium and glass 'windows' are occasionally implanted in the body to allow observation either for research or to monitor a particular medical condition and various bolts, staples and other devices are routinely used to repair broken bones, either permanently or as temporary support.

The most important thing is that the material chosen has good bio-compatibility ie it won't be rejected by the tissue in which it is implanted. Rejection can cause infection, poor healing and other medical complications. Titanium, surgical steel and perspex are all materials known to have good bio-compatibility. Note that chemical unreactivity is no guarantee of bio-compatibility;  perspex is much more readily accepted by the body than glass, for example.

For placement below the eye it would seem reasonably plausible to mount a fairly substantial implant anchored to the cheek bone. Mechanically this could be done fairly simply with titanium studs or screws.

[Augustus Longeye]

Thank you for your replies! I gather then the most sensible idea is to literally screw a bolt into the bone, and then have the surface metal attached to this bolt... I see what you both mean about the rejection and infection problems, I can see having exposed metal around an open wound might cause some problems...
Thanks again!
~Longeye~

[Just call me Rob]

I'm not sure if it's based in reality of fiction, but I've read about skull injuries being patched with a gold coin. In fact I think it's done on the film Master and Commander.

I guess there's no reason a person couldn't have a chunk of skin cut from their cheekbone/eye socket and a lump of shaped gold screwed or nailed into the skull.
I thing gold is one of the more bio-friendly metals.

I guess the skin would grow back over part of it perhaps.

[Cpt. Tobias Warde]

Wasn't just limited to coins, they were just handy as they were often readily available and they are round. Was a technique used as far back (and beyond) as the Roman's.
Doctor would cut back the scalp & hair and saw out a part of the skull* to remove chips/fragments of skull, to drain blood & remove any loose brain matter/hair. A plate would then be put over the wound, once the Doctor was satisfied it would not 'invite a fever', and nailed into the skull with tiny, tiny tacks.

Think it's still an operation that can be done today, just a little more sophisticated, not to mention cleaner & healthier with a really high chance of surviving the Op!

*They portrayed this very well in Rome, first series, second episode I think.

[Augustus Longeye]

This is interesting... so they literally just nailed a plate over a hole in a bone?
~Longeye~

[Mr. Boltneck]

While there are procedures in which metal implants extend through the skin from bone, this can be a bit problematic, in my understanding, with regard to scarring and possible infection. Most often, it's done on a medium- or long-term basis only when the alternatives are worse. I've known one or two people who've had this sort of arrangement for months when their lower legs needed to b stuck back together and held in position after a major crackup had left the bones in too many bits for conventional setting methods. I seem to also recall seeing a prosthetic ear replacement in an online article in the last year, in which fasteners went through the skin and into the skull-bone, and the ear had mating fittings which snapped into place.
A more likely procedure, in some ways, might be implanting some reasonably strong (and tissue-compatible) magnets into the bone surface, and then building the exterior metal piece with matching magnets. That way, you avoid the issue of surface penetration. I have heard that some types of hairpieces have used a similar method of fastening.
All things being equal, metal screwed into your bones isn't the worst thing on earth: I have metal fasteners in both knees, and after a few years, I seldom notice them, aside from the occasional sudden weather change, and even then, I have more annoyance from scars and popped knuckles. The only real trouble has come from TSA goofballs who turn the metal detector up too high, and decide I must be either a potential "terrist" or perhaps some sort of Terminator.

[Augustus Longeye]

Hmm... some food for thought there, thank you Mr. Boltneck!
And ever thought of running with it? "Yes I am the Terminator" would go down a treat I'm sure
~Longeye~

[Wormster]

HMMMM,

I remember seeing skulls in a museum in Lima (Peru) that had been trepanned (square holes cut with some king of saw) and then either mother of pearl of gold inserted, the bone had healed around and sometimes even fused with the implanted material.

If you were thinking of having any modification done I would look at having some kind of inert (maybe encapsulated in gold or perspex) rare earth magnets* around your eye socket (as previously suggested).

*Am I right in thinking that these provide the "most bang for your buck" as it were??

[Augustus Longeye]

At this point I mist pop in with another note and say that I was being honest when I said this isn't so I can do it to myself or any other... I was aiming at more traditional methods (ruling out magnets) as a "punishment" or severe branding for a person, to have this literally stamped to their face so they couldn't remove it. The key part here was that the patient had to have a relative chance of survival... and you people have responded brilliantly so far! Sorry if I've confused you here!
~Longeye~

[rovingjack]

I would think it might be feasable to take a material that actually works as a scafold for skin and or bone growth and in the center have something that can't be absorbed or overgrown.

Like maybe taking a peice of coral calcium that has a silver cab with enameling on it and maybe a thin layer of cotton gauze.

The only way I could think to do it would be to have a shaped peice of the coralwith tiny holes where cotton threads cold be strung through and then the gause woven with those threads into a sort of skirt, before siler plateing the cab suface, though i'm not sure if you could enamel that directly I'm willing to bet one could make tha cab have a small interface suface in the center and a silver plate with enamel on its surface have the other half of the interface that might be soldered or otherwise perminantly bonded.

The idea is that the skull bone is abrated and the coral is laid on top of it where they could grow together as the bone tries to regrow over the existing calcium. The skin grows on the gause like a scafold, but stops at the silver which it can't grow over.

Silver is a decent option as it's antibacterial properties could be adventageous. Though blueing or greying of surrounding skin may occur.

The shape and size of the metal will make a differance. To small or narrow would allow the skin to work up and close around the edges. A lip around the the edge so that the skin and gauze grow under it might help prvent this, as would a very smooth surface.

The result would be somewhat like how a tooth protrudes from the gum.

[Augustus Longeye]

My good sir you have provided a perfect explanation! This is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for, and thinking about it is perfectly and biologically feasible. It would lead to a shape you could fairly easily alter per procedure, a shape that is versatile and really only needs a bone surface to work on, and most importantly sounds like it could be done in any period with only varying survival rates!
You have helped me greatly, Thank you!
~Longeye~

[Argus Fairbrass]

It's no good mate, I've been trying to resist but my curiosity is screaming at me haha. I see you've provided some explanation but Ize just gotz to know!

[Augustus Longeye]

That is for me to know and you to find out! Just rest assured, if you feel a sudden burning sensation on your face then that is MOST CERTAINLY me enacting this operation.

No, it's nothing sinister just a design I was toying with for a prosthetic that evolved a story of it's own. I figured that it would look good, but why have it there? I wound up a torture method for enemies of a particular group, who brand the captain of the opposing ship by bonding a symbol of their choosing to the captain's face, in such a way it cannot be removed and is obvious to anyone who sees it. From there I figured no way of achieving this, so thought you brilliant people would be a good port of call!

Come to think of it though, do look out for the burning sensation now

~Longeye~

EDIT: Just a side note; I studied body modification last year during my psychology course and discovered not only my repulsion to it (please if  you have or plan it do not take offence or let my thoughts bother you) but I decided there and then that anything to do with subcutaneous implantation wasn't for me...

[Prof_Von_Grumbleflick]

Doublepost. Sorry.

[Prof_Von_Grumbleflick]

It's no good mate, I've been trying to resist but my curiosity is screaming at me haha. I see you've provided some explanation but Ize just gotz to know!

Eloquently put, Argus! Probably the same question that everyone's asking!

But Longeye... You might want to have a look on Google and read up on "Dermal Anchoring". It's basically a case of...  

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

plate that goes underneath the skin through an incision. It has a small, internally threaded post that protrudes up and out of the skin. Then, what are essentially small "screws" with rhinestones and so on can be screwed into this post, so that all that is visible is a little ball, jewel or something, as opposed to having a bar or something with a ball on each end.

Now, I guess you could, if you really wanted, have five or six of these placed around the area that you want, and have whatever it is that you want bolted to your face made up in a lightweight, easy to clean metal (titanium) and that is then screwed on into the anchors. It'd be expensive getting the piece made up and finding a qualified piercer who can do anchors, but really, if that is what you want, money should not be quibbled over for a job well done!

...horses for courses?

Edited bit:
I've read your reply which you posted as I did this.

I like the way you say "it's nothing sinister" and then go onto coming up with the bizarre torture method! Naah.. Not sinister at all!

Now, I take it you're thinking a kind of "Inglorious Basterds" kind of branding, yes? (I watched it for the first time the other day. If you haven't already, it's pretty good!)

In which case, you are going to want something that makes a big impact, that can't be easily removed before it's healed (so stitches can be picked etcetera), quick to apply (bearing in mind that the... "patient" will be a reluctant and somewhat fidgety one). Infection and aftereffects aren't a massive consideration here.

I'd be thinking some big-bugger staples or sewing it on with wires through premade holes in the plate. Or perhaps simply just be a nasty git and just screw or nail it on straight into the bone, through the skin and all.

I believe magnets UNDER the skin would be a bad thing generally.. The pressure points would fistulate, I'm sure. I think the wig ones probably use magnets that are attached through the skin to plates, so the magnets themselves are external. I might be wrong. The only time I ever wore a wig, It was a bright pink bob and.... *ahem*
Righty. I'm all evilled out. I'm off to go and think about bunnyrabbits and unicorns.

[Prof Marvel]

For your purposes I recommend this forehead implant:
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:KnSCETNLlZgPtM:http://rdanderson.com/stargate/cast/tealc.jpg&t=1

Teal'c described the method as "an incision is made and molten gold is poured in". when asked if it hurt, he repled
"excruciatingly".

yhs
prof marvel

[Augustus Longeye]

I do love my non-sinister methods of torture... but you post basically nails it on the head, care isn't a concern but permanency is.
And yes Professor (Another! Oh my!), I was thinking of that but I wasn't sure that it could actually 'work' as it were... I assumed that if there were any technical quibbles in the series the write could pull out another Goa'uld device to fix it, but here I didn't have that option so wanted to be a bit surer (and basically see if there were other ways).
~Longeye~

[lilibat]

There is a lot of art revolving around warhammer 40k with metal plates on part of faces as either enhancements or replacements. Lots of pictures of tech priests have things like that, if you want to get visual ideas as to how it might look.

[Augustus Longeye]

Ah yes! I hadn't thought of warhammer... most of those are a little over the top for my needs, but I think it it s very similar idea... and has actually given me a few more, thank you
~Longeye~

[Argus Fairbrass]

Of course depending on your intended victim, it may actually look quite hot!  

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Pheobsky]

But Longeye... You might want to have a look on Google and read up on "Dermal Anchoring". It's basically a case of... 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

plate that goes underneath the skin through an incision. It has a small, internally threaded post that protrudes up and out of the skin. Then, what are essentially small "screws" with rhinestones and so on can be screwed into this post, so that all that is visible is a little ball, jewel or something, as opposed to having a bar or something with a ball on each end.

Now, I guess you could, if you really wanted, have five or six of these placed around the area that you want, and have whatever it is that you want bolted to your face made up in a lightweight, easy to clean metal (titanium) and that is then screwed on into the anchors. It'd be expensive getting the piece made up and finding a qualified piercer who can do anchors, but really, if that is what you want, money should not be quibbled over for a job well done!

...horses for courses?

Seconded
This was instantly my first thought; I have once seen a very small* plate fastened on by the head of a transdermal implant. However this while awkward to remove can be done- so screwing into the bone would be the most obvious solution.

Further support for using dermal anchors:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Another possibility would be to attach a plate to the anchors in doing so removing access to them so they could not be simply cut out. They could still be ripped out if the person was determined, but this would be a problem with any method of attachment. However there are 2 possibilities:

1) there would be obvious scarring- hence they'd be stopped & appropriate action taken.

2) have a cavity within the dermal anchors, so if broken it'd release a poison- giving a rather strong incentive not to do so.

Also I'd recomend a peruse of
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implant_(body_modification)
& http://news.bmezine.com/category/modblog/ (link NparticularlySFW)

*about the size of a washer; that is to say a 1p peice

[Augustus Longeye]

Thank you everyone for even more input! But Pheobsky, I love the idea of a poison vial! Some tiny glass vial half in the bone, half in the pins so that if they are removed it will snap the vial and kill them... this is exactly the sort of "incentive" I was looking for! Though with the scarring most 'patients' are let lose after having this, as the metal thing on their face is similar to a branding mark, and they don't need to be kept in one place (except for the obvious healing period so they can't just try and yank it out before it's in place).
~Longeye~

[Mr. Boltneck]

At this point, Mr. Longeye, if you ever post something titled "A Question About Something Horrible," I am just going to hide quietly behind the couch, with the cat.